Polymer optical channel waveguide components fabricated by using a laser direct writing system

Polymeric optical channel waveguide components fabricated with highly simplified, flexible, and cost-effective laser direct writing approach are presented. A continuous-wave semiconductor laser module operating at 375 nm is used in the laser direct writing system. The laser direct writing system is computer-controlled so that waveguide device patterns can be easily defined through the programming of the software. Waveguide propagation loss is measured to be 0.79dB/cm.